By Naeem Randhawa, Independent Producer, and Natalie Smolenski, KERA 90.1 Reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-523143.mp3
Dallas, TX –
[sound: screaming fans]
Naeem Randhawa, Independent Producer: The only difference between the screaming girls at a Kelly Clarkson concert and those at a Sami Yusuf concert is the sea of headscarves. Sami Yusuf is the superstar of the Muslim music world.
Sami Yusuf, musician: I'm from Britain and - with Azari roots, Azerbaijan, so there's an Eastern element there, so the fact that I was born Muslim so I know all the customs - adaab - so understanding Western music, Eastern music, you understand all the differences and when you sort of mold them together, when there's fusion between the different styles, it appeals to people.
Randhawa: Yusuf delivers a message of unity to Muslim and non-Muslim audiences by focusing on God and his Prophets. Singing in Turkish, Urdu, Farsi, Arabic and English, Yusuf filmed his international hit, Hasbi Rabbi, in four countries.
[sound: Hasbi Rabbi]
Randhawa: Sami Yusuf and many other Muslim artists, like American hip-hop group Native Deen, see their music as a release from the political pressures Muslims have felt since 9/11. Some in the community have criticized their music as too commercial and outside the fold of Islam. But Joshua Salaam of Native Dean disagrees.
Joshua Salaam, musician: We do want people to remember that in Islam it is okay to enjoy yourself. And as long as we do it in moderation it should be okay.
Randhawa: The sell-out crowd included whole families: adoring teenage girls, kids snapping pictures with their cellphones, and older family members clapping along to the rhythm.
[sound: drums duet]
Randhawa: In contrast to all the noise, at 8:30 sharp, the theater fell silent as the entire audience performed evening prayers. Afterwards, volunteers for the charity group that organized the concert, Islamic Relief, urgently appealed for funds to help orphans worldwide.
[sound: auctioneer]
Randhawa: The auction-style fundraiser quickly amassed close to $100,000 from an audience of only 1300 people. Some Islamic charities have recently come under scrutiny for allegedly funding terrorist organizations, but Charity Navigator, which rates US charities, recently gave them its highest ranking. Sami Yusuf also praised Islamic Relief's mission.
Yusuf: Their philosophy is humanitarian. Their ideas are for all. Their relief is for all. It's not just for Muslims. And that's what I love about them.
Randhawa: Islamic Relief's Evening of Inspiration Tour will continue for another week in four US cities. For KERA 90.1, I'm Naeem Randhawa.
[sound: Sami Yusuf: Allahu]
KERA 90.1's Natalie Smolenski produced this report.
Contact KERA's News and Public Affairs staff about this piece